Press Statement of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Martin Sajdik after the Meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group

MINSK, 19 October 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups in Minsk on 18 October 2017:

“As the cold season is approaching, the TCG considers it especially important to ensure the necessary living conditions for the civilian population. This includes uninterrupted electricity and water supply, unimpeded movement through the line of contact and, undoubtedly, the protection of civilians in the context of the conflict. In this connection, I have to underline that, unfortunately, the number of ceasefire violations increased by five per cent over the past week. All these issues were discussed today in the Working Group on Security Issues and in the TCG.

Based on information from the Security Working Group, I would like to make a note of the start of demining work last week in the Zolote area. As you may remember, the TCG agreed to open an entry-exit checkpoint there. I also call on the sides to pursue prompt disengagement of forces and hardware in the area of ​​Stanytsia Luhanska, as foreseen by the TCG Framework Decision of 20 September 2016.

And now let me inform you on the outcome of the discussions in the other Working Groups.

The Economic Working Group concentrated this time again on water supply issues. It discussed in particular the possibility of improving the payment procedure in the ‘Karbonyt’ and ‘Voda Donbasa’ water systems. In addition, the Group advanced its discussions on the ways to pay off arrears to the former employees of Ukrainian Railways in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR).

The Humanitarian Working Group continued to discuss the exchange of detainees. The topic of returning identity documents to previously released persons was considered in detail. The Group Co-ordinator, Ambassador Toni Frisch, confirmed his intention to visit Starobilsk, Zolote and Luhansk in late October.

The Working Group on Political Issues positively assessed the extension of the Law on Special Order in CADR and CALR by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. As before, the Group continued to discuss the issues related to the ‘Steinmeier formula’ and its implementation.”